3.5 million Americans are affected by autism. While there is no known cause, changes in the structure and function of the central nervous system lead to a range of behavioral, social, and learning disabilities. This can result in the autistic person having difficulties interacting with others and in particular strained relationships with family members or siblings. Current literature reports positive and negative effects of the presence of a child with autism on sibling relationships. This thesis will explore the relationship between an autistic person and their sibling. The central hypothesis is that during childhood people will be positive about the idea of having a new sibling. During adolescence their optimism will wane; however with more expectations and responsibilities as an adult they will need to reach out and help their brother/sister. To explore this, interviews were conducted with people with autistic siblings to learn about the effect of autism on their relationship. Responses were mixed with most people aware of the reality their autistic siblings face and accepting of the disease and their sibling. Out of love for their sibling or in honor of final parental wishes, they realize they will have to adopt responsibility for their autistic sibling.

Portable, fast, and cost effective screening tests are needed to identify areas of weakness that could potentially lead to injury in female middle school and high school basketball athletes. Deficits in balance have been correlated with increased ankle sprains, and specific training can help alleviate these deficits and reduce risks. The Y balance test (YBT) determines dynamic balance deficits in three reach directions. As part of a larger study, this project is concerned with testing the Y balance test in pediatric female basketball athletes. Scores did not improve with age from the under fourteen group to the fourteen and older group supporting data that, unlike their male counterparts, motor control in females does not improve with age. Asymmetries between legs, which have been observed as a risk indicator previously, were also observed in every reach direction with a peak seen around eleven years old. Pilot data gathered in this study may help form a baseline for injury risk prediction in this population.

The goal of this study was to assess the impact of education on the perception and receptivity of vaccines in a college population. Since novel vaccines are continually being introduced to the society, it is important to determine whether these immunizations will be readily accepted and successfully distributed to all individuals. Using the potential development of a vaccine for Epstein- Barr Virus (EBV) as a test case, a pre- and post-unit anonymous survey was given to 67 University of Arizona students during an educational unit on immunology and vaccines which I led. Data from the survey showed that education indeed impacted the students’ perceptions and receptivity to vaccines. While general coverage of the immunity, vaccines and EBV resulted in 59% willingness to receive the new EBV vaccine, further specific information about low US incidence of long-term health risks and lack of efficacy in asymptomatic patients resulted in a drop in willingness to 24%. Factors cited as influencing their decision included cost, availability and sufficient information. This data reinforces the importance of understanding how vaccines are perceived in society and how provision of information is critical in shaping a person’s point of view toward immunizations and impacting community health.

Given the obesity epidemic, it is essential to find effective ways to modify behavior and reduce associated long-term health issues. Mobile technology is being used to provide feedback to individuals about both activity and consumption, but accuracy and effectiveness are still unclear. In this study, accuracy of the popular Fit Bit device was assessed along with correlations to behavioral changes. Initial calibration of steps taken, distance traveled on a track and on a treadmill, calories burned and floors climbed revealed errors of 0.5%, 12%, 26%, 21.3% and 0% respectively, indicating the Fit Bit is a reasonable tool for assessing activity in relative terms and providing feedback to users. Three subjects then utilized Fit Bits for 28 days to gain insight into whether technology-based feedback can affect behavior. Over the study, there was an average decrease in calories consumed, body weight, and percent body fat. The correlation between calories burned, activity score, and rating of perceived exertion suggested accuracy in subjects’ self-assessment of physical activity. No correlation was found between rating of perceived consumption and calories consumed suggesting inaccuracy in self-assessing consumption and/or that external factors were involved. In sum, this technology appears promising for providing individualized feedback to optimize health.

A concussion is defined by a rapid movement of the head that results in characteristic symptoms. Most concussions resolve without any treatment, but risky behavior, such as returning to play, while the brain is in a vulnerable state can result in worsened outcomes. Concussion education is commonly provided to sports players, as it is known that contact sports offer a risk of concussions. However, non-sports players sustain head injuries as well who may not be within the reach of current education. This thesis seeks to assess the awareness of concussions in the general population. A survey was provided to various classes and sports teams that gathered information on concussion incidence and assessed participants’ awareness of concussions. It was found that concussions occur outside of sports to individuals without concussion education. When offered a scenario, both educated and non-educated populations were found to choose risky decisions following concussions, indicating both groups are unaware of the gravity of concussions and rehabilitation guidelines. Inappropriate responses from individuals with prior education support the conclusion that current education is ineffective. Future implications include widespread concussion education that reaches all populations and conveys the severity of concussions and the importance of following proper treatment.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic loss in the basal ganglia of the brain. It leads to motor impairment and cognitive dysfunctions. Besides pharmacological and surgical treatments, exercise has been shown to help Parkinson’s patients cope with symptoms. The purpose of my research is to determine whether certain forms of exercise are more effective in reducing the severity of symptoms. Aerobic exercises were compared with skill-based exercises with results indicating that combining both skill-based and aerobic exercises had an influence on the promotion of neuroplasticity, demonstrating that both forms of exercise should be implemented in programs. Specific techniques were then compared to each other to determine if specific exercises are more beneficial than simply doing physiotherapy exercises. Dancing demonstrated improvements in quality of life, balance, freezing gait, and stride width. Boxing improved balance, gait, bradykinesia, and quality of life. Tai chi aided patients in improving limb strength, agility, quality of life, and gait disturbances. These results indicate greater benefits when the exercises address multiple areas of the body. However, for any exercise to be the most beneficial for the patients, they must enjoy the exercise as this will aid in maintaining long-term adherence to the program.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the potential efficacy of a concurrent endurance, strength, and flexibility training program aimed at improving running efficiency, as well as to propose an exercise program for a future case-series. In order to develop this proposal, existing research on the movement of running and each of the individual elements of the training program was reviewed, and an initial female running subject was utilized in developing a study and exercise plan. Review of current literature combined with the initial trial phase in development has resulted in the conclusion that a concurrent training program has the potential to optimize running efficiency by targeting the specific areas and functions of the body involved in running. The intention moving forward is to conduct the proposed study, as well as to make this current and future research available to clinicians, trainers, and runners who are interested in improving running efficiency, improving race times and/or preventing injury.

A vast amount of research shows that migraines affect many people around the world. It has been suggested that stress, caffeine and artificial sweeteners are three of the many factors that can cause migraines. Caffeine, ironically, has been shown to be both a trigger and a treatment. Pre-med students have been shown to be prone to migraines as their future goals require high/successful involvement in both the community and academics. This study provides insight into whether consumption of diet drinks, caffeinated drinks and/or stress is/are correlated with the intensity or frequency of migraines by surveying pre-med students near beginning and towards the end of their undergraduate career. While there was no correlation with consumption of either artificially sweetened or caffeinated beverages, stress was found to be the most common migraine trigger for this population. Rigor of major and post-graduation plans were among the highest sources of stress. Considering the influence stress had on migraine experience and these sources of stress, learning and utilizing stress reduction methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Stress Inoculation Therapy (SIT), and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) might be the most effective way to reduce intensity/frequency of migraines.

ADHD is a disorder characterized by attentional difficulties and hyperactivity. Counterintuitively, stimulants are the most commonly prescribed medications for the disorder having been shown to reduce hyperactivity and increase ability to focus through affecting brain dopamine pathways. Because of this, these drugs are often used for cognitive enhancement, by people without ADHD, especially college students. The present study seeks to increase understanding of contributing factors to, and effects of misuse of prescription stimulants in college students. A survey was taken by 168 pre-heath undergraduate students assessing student's use and perception of stimulants. Results indicate 29% of Physiology students have used stimulants as an undergraduate, 23% without a prescription. Stimulants were primarily reported to be used to improve focus when studying. Participant users not diagnosed with ADHD were significantly more likely to feel stress stemming from course work than their diagnosed peers. In addition, interviews with 3 professionals associated with treating ADHD patients or dealing with students with the disorder revealed consensus that stimulants should not be prescribed as academic enhancers for various reasons. Therefore, the data suggests that students who are in the pre-health track are more likely to use ADHD stimulant medication than the general student population at UA.

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